‘Oh my God,’ Kellen breathes, the horror dawning on him. ‘He was in the basement. He’s the one who tripped the power.’

‘Oh no,’ I say.

‘We need to get him!’ Kellen cries.

‘Don’t you dare!’ Madzikanda snaps, but it’s too late because Owen is already sprinting towards the building, disappearing into the thick black smoke that’s billowing through the doorway. A deep red firework explodes above the school, as the timed pyrotechnics kick off. ‘Owen!’ she booms, going after him.

Some of the students actually scream as the two of them disappear inside. Kellen and I look at each other helplessly. I feel like we should go after them, but what good would that do? We’re standing there, paralysed by fear and confusion – and that’s when I spot him. Josh. Coming round the side of the building, coughing.

‘He’s already out!’ I yell after Owen and Madzikanda, but I know they can’t hear me over the sound of the blaze. ‘He’s already out!’ I try again, louder now. ‘Josh is here!’

I look back at the crowd of students, all of them stunned with fear.

I have to go in after them, but Kellen realizes this before I do, and he’s already running towards the building, one with the flames as his fiery outfit disappears between the doors.

‘Kellen! Wait!’ I yell. ‘Kellen!’

‘Don’t!’ Cameron says, grabbing me and dragging me backwards. ‘Zach, don’t!’

‘Get off me!’ I scream, trying to push him away, but he holds me down. ‘Get off me!’

‘You’re gonna get yourself killed!’ he shouts, pinning my arms down. I try to fight him, but he’s too strong.

‘Get the fuck off me!’

‘Zach, stop!’ he yells. ‘Just stop!’

‘Kellen!’ I scream again, and that’s when I see him and Madzikanda reappear, Owen unconscious between them. People actually start cheering.

They did it! They’re out!

And that’s when it happens.

Above them, weakened by the fire, the ornamental door frame shudders and creaks.

Repetitio Est Mater Studiorum.

Repetition is the Mother of Learning.

With a final groan, it collapses and all three of them disappear in a cloud of fire and smoke.

‘Kellen!’ I scream, my vision blurring.

And then everything is suddenly black.

6

‘Prom night, baby!’

‘Kellen!’ I scream, pushing Chase out of the way and running for the door. ‘Kellen!’

I sprint up the stairs, but this time he doesn’t appear in his doorway. Instead, I hear Rhys. The unsettling sound of his desperate cries for help. Some of the other students rush out into the corridor as I burst through into Kellen’s room.

Kellen is lying on the floor, Rhys crouched next to him, frozen.

‘I don’t know what … I don’t know what happened …’ he says, looking up at me. He’s white as a sheet. ‘I just woke up and he’s …’